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Rhode Island might not come to mind immediately when contemplating the Revolutionary War*, but their Grand Lodge has devised the novel way of celebrating America250 by chartering a “lodge of commemoration” to be at labor for the coming year.
From the publicity:
Semiquincentennial Lodge 250
Reflect on the Past
Celebrate the Present
Hope for the Future
Semiquincentennial Lodge 250 is chartered as a commemorative lodge dedicated to the 250th anniversary of America’s Declaration of Independence.
The tenets of Freemasonry have influenced the principles of freedom, equality, justice, and courage that are the foundation of our nation.
Semiquincentennial Lodge 250 will be opened officially with the presentation of the charter at the Grand Lodge Annual Meeting on May 18, 2026. All attending the Annual Meeting will receive a copy of this keepsake document.
Semiquincentennial Lodge 250 will be called to recess, but may be called to labor any time during the year at the will and pleasure of its Worshipful Master. The lodge will be officially closed at the Grand Lodge Annual Meeting in May 2027.
Program for May 2
Open Semi-Public
Occasional Grand Lodge
Rick Baccus
Most Worshipful Grand Master
Invocation
Pledge of Allegiance
Prologue and Guiding Principles
Stephen E. Mitchell
Past Grand Master
Reflect on the Past
Raymond A. Geer
Grand Historian
Celebrate the Present
Timothy L. Culhane
Director of Masonic Education
Hope for the Future
Joshua A. Irizarry, Past Master
St. Johns Lodge 1
Providence
Three Voices, One Spirit
Stephen E. Mitchell
Past Grand Master
Formal Presentation of the Petition
to Establish
Semiquincentennial Lodge 250
Gilbert J. Fontes, Jr.
Deputy Grand Master
Introduction of Grand Lodge Officers
and Guests
Benediction
Close Lodge
Rick Baccus
Most Worshipful Grand Master
Petition for charter
May 2, 2026A.D. | 6026A.L.
To the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations:
Bro. Rick Baccus, M∴ W∴ Grand Master
The undersigned, petitioners, being, Free and Accepted Master Masons, having the prosperity of the Fraternity at heart, and willing to exert their best endeavors to promote and diffuse the genuine principles of Masonry, respectfully represent,
That, to Honor the Contributions of Freemasons to the Prosperity of our State and Nation and for other good reasons, they are desirous of forming a Lodge of Commemoration within this jurisdiction, to be named Semiquincentennial Lodge No. 250, F. & A. M.
Therefore, they pray for letters of dispensation, or a warrant of constitution, to empower them to assemble as a legal Lodge, to discharge the duties of Masonry in a regular and constitutional manner, according to the original forms of the order, and the regulations of the Grand Lodge.
Scheduled Events
May 2 - The Founding of Semiquincentennial Lodge 250
May 18 - Grand Lodge Annual with issuing of Charter of Semiquincentennial Lodge 250
August TBA - Grand Lodge Picnic and Flag Ceremony
September 27 (tentative) - Time Capsule and Liberty Tree Planting
September 30 - Collegium Luminosum: Speaker on Rhode Island Masonic History
November 14 - Revolutionary Table Lodge
* In all fairness, it is said Freemasons from St. John’s Lodge in Providence were key to the destruction of the HMS Gaspee on June 10, 1772, a dangerous act of tax rebellion a year and a half before the Boston Tea Party.
